Lightweight perforated case wrap

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and methods are provided for a lightweight shrink-wrapped bottle pack. The shrink-wrapped bottle pack comprises a group of bottles arranged in a side-by-side disposition. A case wrapping film is shrink-wrapped around the group of bottles to fixate the side-by-side disposition. Holes in the case wrapping film allow top portions of the bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film. A portion of the case wrapping film surrounding each of the holes forcibly contacts a bell comprising each bottle such that the case wrapping film fixates the side-by-side disposition of the group of bottles. The holes facilitate using a shorter portion of case wrapping film than when extending the case wrapping film over the top portion of the group of bottles, producing a lighter weight bottle pack than conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle packs.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of collation shrink films. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for a lightweight perforated case wrap.

BACKGROUND

Collation shrink films are films that are wrapped around one or more objects and shrunk to package the objects together. The most common use of these films is in the packaging of multiple containers, such as bottles containing beverages, food, and the like. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a shrink-wrapped bottle pack 100 that comprises 24 water bottles 102 that are contained within a shrink-wrapped film 104. The wrapping process generally involves a shrink oven or a shrink tunnel wherein the film 104 and the containers 102 covered by the film 104 are briefly heated to cause the shrink-wrapping to occur. The plastic film 104 then collapses around the containers 102 and holds the units in place.

Films that are used as collation shrink films generally possess properties that make them commercially feasible. For example, films must exhibit good shrinkage, as well as possess excellent strength after shrinkage, referred to as load retention resistance. Further, films must resist puncture and must not be sticky so as to inhibit the film sticking to the packaged containers. Further, in some instances, the collation shrink films are cut during the wrapping process so amenability to cutting is important.

Sealing properties are also important. In some cases, during the wrapping process, the two edges of the film are passed around the object being wrapped and are contacted, typically underneath the product being wrapped. These two film edges must be sealed together, and the seal strength needs to be high. Since the whole packaged ensemble is often carried simply by grabbing hold of the packaging film, the seal strength must ideally be strong enough to hold the weight of the packaged containers.

A drawback to conventional collation shrink films, however, is that they generally add weight to shrink-wrapped packages. As such, there is a continuing interest in developing the lightest weight packaging possible without compromising package integrity. Embodiments presented herein provide a case wrap that provides consumers with lightweight shrink-wrapped beverage packages that are easy to open without falling apart beforehand.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods are provided for a lightweight shrink-wrapped bottle pack. The shrink-wrapped bottle pack comprises a group of bottles arranged in a side-by-side disposition. A case wrapping film is shrink-wrapped around the group of bottles to fixate the side-by-side disposition. A multiplicity of holes are disposed in the case wrapping film to allow top portions of the bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film. In an embodiment, each of the holes is configured to allow a finish portion comprising a water bottle and a container closure installed thereon to protrude through the case wrapping film. A portion of the case wrapping film surrounding each of the holes forcibly contacts a bell comprising each water bottle such that the case wrapping film fixates the side-by-side disposition of the group of bottles. The holes facilitate using a shorter portion of case wrapping film than when extending the case wrapping film over a top portion of the group of bottles, and thus produce a lighter weight bottle pack than conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle packs.

In an exemplary embodiment, a case wrapping film for containing a group of containers comprises: a rectangular sheet of shrink film for being looped over the group of containers; and a multiplicity of holes for allowing the group of containers to protrude through the shrink film.

In another exemplary embodiment, the case wrapping film further includes a sealing edge configured for being adhered to an opposite edge such that the rectangular sheet assumes a tube-shape configuration suitable for being disposed over the group of containers before being shrink-wrapped around the group of containers. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are arranged to correspond to the locations of the containers after the shrink film is shrink-wrapped. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the multiplicity of holes is configured to allow a top portion of a water bottle to extend through the case wrapped film. In another exemplary embodiment, the top portion of the water bottle comprises a bell of the water bottle.

In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are configured such that a portion of the shrink film surrounding each of the multiplicity of holes presses against a top portion of a container so as to hold the container stationary in a bottle pack. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are configured to allow the group of containers to protrude through the shrink film so as to facilitate using a shorter portion of shrink film than when wrapping the shrink film over the top portion of the group of containers. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are configured to allow the group of containers to protrude through the shrink film so as to produce a lighter weight shrink-wrapped bottle pack than a conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle pack. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are arranged either around or over one or more labels disposed on the shrink film.

In an exemplary embodiment, a shrink-wrapped bottle pack comprises: a group of bottles arranged in a side-by-side disposition; a case wrapping film shrink-wrapped around the group of bottles for fixating the side-by-side disposition; and a multiplicity of holes disposed in the case wrapping film for allowing top portions of the bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film.

In another exemplary embodiment, each of the multiplicity of holes is configured to allow a finish portion comprising a water bottle and a container closure installed thereon to protrude through the case wrapping film. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are arranged on the case wrapping film so as to coincide with the side-by-side disposition of the group of bottles. In another exemplary embodiment, a portion of the case wrapping film surrounding each of the multiplicity of holes forcibly contacts a bell comprising each water bottle such that the case wrapping film fixates the side-by-side disposition of the group of bottles.

In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are configured to facilitate using a shorter portion of case wrapping film than when extending the case wrapping film over a top portion of the group of bottles. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity of holes are configured to allow the group of bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film so as to produce a lighter weight bottle pack than a conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle pack.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a shrink-wrapped bottle pack comprises: arranging a group of bottles in a side-by-side disposition; providing a case wrapping film to be shrink-wrapped around the group of bottles for fixating the side-by-side disposition; disposing a multiplicity of holes in the case wrapping film corresponding to the side-by-side disposition; and shrinking-wrapping the case wrapping film such that top portions of the bottles protrude through the case wrapping film.

In another exemplary embodiment, disposing the multiplicity of holes includes configuring each of the multiplicity of holes to allow a finish portion comprising a water bottle and a container closure installed thereon to protrude through the case wrapping film. In another exemplary embodiment, disposing the multiplicity of holes includes configuring the multiplicity of holes to facilitate using a shorter portion of case wrapping film than when extending the case wrapping film over a top portion of the group of bottles. In another exemplary embodiment, disposing the multiplicity of holes includes configuring the multiplicity of holes to allow the group of bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film so as to produce a lighter weight bottle pack than a conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle pack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art shrink-wrapped bottle pack comprising 24 water bottles that are contained within a shrink-wrapped film;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a shrink-wrapped bottle pack comprising 24 water bottles that are packaged within a case wrapping film; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a case wrapping film in a pre-shrink-wrapped state before being installed onto a bottle pack, according to the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first film,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first film” is different than a “second film.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

A drawback to conventional shrink-wrap films, such as the film 104 shown in FIG. 1, is that they generally add weight to shrink-wrapped packages. As such, there is a continuing interest in developing the lightest weight packaging possible without compromising package integrity. Embodiments presented herein provide a case wrapping film that provides consumers with lightweight shrink-wrapped beverage packages that are easy to open without falling apart beforehand.

Turning specifically to the drawings, FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a shrink-wrapped bottle pack 120 comprising 24 water bottles 124 that are packaged within a case wrapping film 128. The case wrapping film 128 has been shrink-wrapped such that it has collapsed around the water bottles 124 and holds the bottles in place within the pack 120.

As shown in FIG. 2, the case wrapping film 128 includes a multiplicity of holes 132 arranged to allow top portions of the water bottles 124 to extend through the film 128. More specifically, each hole 132 in the film 128 allows a finish portion 136 comprising each water bottle 124 and a container closure 140 installed thereon to protrude through the film 128. In a shrink-wrapped state, shown in FIG. 2, the portion of the case wrapping film 128 surrounding each of the holes 132 forcibly contacts a bell 144 comprising each of the water bottles 124. As such, in the shrink-wrapped state, the film 128 presses against all of the bells 144 of the bottles 124 and thus holds the bottles 124 in place within the pack 120.

As will be appreciated, allowing the water bottles 124 to protrude through the holes 132 facilitates using a shorter portion of the case wrapping film 128 than when wrapping the film over the tops of the bottles as shown in FIG. 1. It is contemplated, therefore, that using the case wrapping film 128 and allowing the bottles 124 to extend through the holes 132 produces a lighter weight shrink-wrapped bottle pack 120 than the shrink-wrapped bottle pack 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a case wrapping film 160 in a pre-shrink-wrapped state before the film 160 is installed onto a bottle pack, such as the bottle pack 120. The case wrapping film 160 generally comprises a rectangular sheet of shrink film suitable for being looped over a group of containers or bottles, such as the 24 water bottles 124 shown in FIG. 2. A sealing edge 164 comprising the case wrapping film 160 is configured to be melted or adhered to an opposite edge 168 such that the film 160 assumes a tube-shape configuration suitable for being disposed over the group of bottles 124 before the film 160 is shrink-wrapped around the bottles 124.

The case wrapping film 160 includes a multiplicity of holes 172 arranged to correspond to the locations of the water bottles 124 after the film 160 is shrink-wrapped. As discussed with respect to FIG. 2, each of the holes 172 is configured to allow a top portion of a water bottle 124, such as the bell 144 comprising the water bottle 124, to extend through the case wrapped film 160. Once the film 160 is shrink-wrapped, the portion of the case wrapping film 160 surrounding the holes 172 presses against the bells 144 and thus holds the water bottles 124 in place within the shrink-wrapped film 160. As described herein, allowing the water bottles 124, or containers, to protrude through the holes 172 facilitates using a relatively shorter portion of the case wrapping film 160 than when wrapping the film over the tops of the bottles as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, it is contemplated that using the case wrapping film 160 produces a lighter weight shrink-wrapped bottle pack than conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle packs, such as the bottle pack 100.

In some embodiments, the case wrapping film 160 may include features in addition to the holes 172. For example, the case wrapping film 160 may include any of various labels 176, as desired. The holes 172 may be arranged either around the labels 176 or over the labels 176, without limitation. Moreover, in some embodiments, the case wrapping film 160 may include any of various perforated panels configured to facilitate removal of the water bottles 124 without comprising the integrity of the pack. For example, in some embodiments, the case wrapping film 160 may include an easy-open panel that is partially bordered by an alternating series of cuts and lands. It is contemplated that the series of cuts and lands may be configured to allow the easy-open panel to tear away from the bottle pack upon being pulled by a practitioner.

Methods for a shrink-wrapped bottle pack 120 generally comprise providing a case wrapping film 160 to be shrink-wrapped around and fixate a group of bottles 124 that are arranged in a side-by-side disposition suitable for packaging. The methods may include disposing a multiplicity of holes 172 in the case wrapping film 160 to correspond to the side-by-side disposition such that top portions of the bottles protrude through the case wrapping film 160 upon shrink-wrapping the case wrapping film 160. In some embodiments, disposing the multiplicity of holes 172 includes configuring each of the holes 172 to allow a finish portion 136 comprising a water bottle 124 and a container closure 140 installed thereon to protrude through the case wrapping film 160. In some embodiments, disposing the multiplicity of holes 172 includes configuring the holes 172 to facilitate using a shorter portion of case wrapping film 160 than when extending the case wrapping film 160 over a top portion of the group of bottles, as shown in FIG. 1. As will be appreciated, configuring the multiplicity of holes 172 to allow the group of bottles 124 to protrude through the case wrapping film 160 produces a lighter weight bottle pack 120 than a conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle pack, such as the bottle pack 100 shown in FIG. 1.

While the invention has been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A case wrapping film for containing a group of containers, the case wrapping film comprising: a rectangular sheet of shrink film for being looped over the group of containers; and a multiplicity of holes for allowing the group of containers to protrude through the shrink film.
 2. The case wrapping film of claim 1, further including a sealing edge configured for being adhered to an opposite edge such that the rectangular sheet assumes a tube-shape configuration suitable for being disposed over the group of containers before being shrink-wrapped around the group of containers.
 3. The case wrapping film of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of holes are arranged to correspond to the locations of the containers after the shrink film is shrink-wrapped.
 4. The case wrapping film of claim 1, wherein each of the multiplicity of holes is configured to allow a top portion of a water bottle to extend through the case wrapped film.
 5. The case wrapping film of claim 4, wherein the top portion of the water bottle comprises a bell of the water bottle.
 6. The case wrapping film of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of holes are configured such that a portion of the shrink film surrounding each of the multiplicity of holes presses against a top portion of a container so as to hold the container stationary in a bottle pack.
 7. The case wrapping film of claim 6, wherein the multiplicity of holes are configured to allow the group of containers to protrude through the shrink film so as to facilitate using a shorter portion of shrink film than when wrapping the shrink film over the top portion of the group of containers.
 8. The case wrapping film of claim 7, wherein the multiplicity of holes are configured to allow the group of containers to protrude through the shrink film so as to produce a lighter weight shrink-wrapped bottle pack than a conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle pack.
 9. The case wrapping film of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of holes are arranged either around or over one or more labels disposed on the shrink film.
 10. A shrink-wrapped bottle pack, comprising: a group of bottles arranged in a side-by-side disposition; a case wrapping film shrink-wrapped around the group of bottles for fixating the side-by-side disposition; and a multiplicity of holes disposed in the case wrapping film for allowing top portions of the bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film.
 11. The shrink-wrapped bottle pack of claim 10, wherein each of the multiplicity of holes is configured to allow a finish portion comprising a water bottle and a container closure installed thereon to protrude through the case wrapping film.
 12. The shrink-wrapped bottle pack of claim 10, wherein the multiplicity of holes are arranged on the case wrapping film so as to coincide with the side-by-side disposition of the group of bottles.
 13. The shrink-wrapped bottle pack of claim 10, wherein a portion of the case wrapping film surrounding each of the multiplicity of holes forcibly contacts a bell comprising each water bottle such that the case wrapping film fixates the side-by-side disposition of the group of bottles.
 14. The shrink-wrapped bottle pack of claim 10, wherein the multiplicity of holes are configured to facilitate using a shorter portion of case wrapping film than when extending the case wrapping film over a top portion of the group of bottles.
 15. The shrink-wrapped bottle pack of claim 10, wherein the multiplicity of holes are configured to allow the group of bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film so as to produce a lighter weight bottle pack than a conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle pack.
 16. A method for a shrink-wrapped bottle pack, comprising: arranging a group of bottles in a side-by-side disposition; providing a case wrapping film to be shrink-wrapped around the group of bottles for fixating the side-by-side disposition; disposing a multiplicity of holes in the case wrapping film corresponding to the side-by-side disposition; and shrinking-wrapping the case wrapping film such that top portions of the bottles protrude through the case wrapping film.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein disposing the multiplicity of holes includes configuring each of the multiplicity of holes to allow a finish portion comprising a water bottle and a container closure installed thereon to protrude through the case wrapping film.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein disposing the multiplicity of holes includes configuring the multiplicity of holes to facilitate using a shorter portion of case wrapping film than when extending the case wrapping film over a top portion of the group of bottles.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein disposing the multiplicity of holes includes configuring the multiplicity of holes to allow the group of bottles to protrude through the case wrapping film so as to produce a lighter weight bottle pack than a conventionally shrink-wrapped bottle pack. 